Circuit interrupter construction with auxiliary interrupter



March 9, 1965 YONKERS 3,172,979

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER CONSTRUCTION WITH AUXILIARY INTERRUPTER AND IMPROVED TERMINAL MEANS FOR DETACHING SAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1962 I an I 1 .nili'l v 1 EDM/A 20 H. YOA/KEZS BY Kama m E. H. YONKERS 3,172,979 ONSTRU Y INTERRUPTER March 9, 1965 CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER C CTION WITH AUXILIAR AND IMPROVED TERMINAL MEANS FOR DETACHING SAME Filed July 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i I I I I n mm a. e- .I m K 48 a. p W 34 a v 4 4 my \fi 7 J H. T7 m M a m. d. a \I 8 4 d 6 41M. 5 w M. :u 4 t 4 U M .80 m 5 4 717m @MMOM M ATTozA/Em.

United States Patent M Edward H. Yonkers, Glencoe, 111., assignor to Joslyn Mfg. and Supply Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 26, 1962, Ser. No. 212,513 6 Claims. (Cl. 200-146) This invention relates to a cable terminal and switching device, and more particularly, to a switching device in which the switching element can be removed from the switch terminals while the terminals are enengized.

As a result of the recent trend toward the increasing use of underground cables to distribute electrical power in expanding residential areas, there is a growing need "for safe, compact switch gears, particularly suited to switching and sectionalizing cable terminals at distribution voltage levels. One such terminating device is disclosed in copending United States patent application Serial No. 142,562 filed October 3, 1961, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. In conjunction with the use of such terminating devices and underground high voltage cable distribution systems, it is necessary to provide a step-down transformer to develop the low voltages for supply to residences and the like. These transformers are usually of the cabinet type mounted at ground level, and it is desirable that a switch be provided between cable terminals and the transformer terminals. Since it is not feasible to deenergize the distribution system and interrupt services on the entire system when installing new equipment or when performing routine maintenance operations, it is desirable that the latter switch be of a type which can be easily and safely installed or removed with the use of a hot line stick while the terminals are energized.

The present invention is an improvement over the cable terminal and switching device disclosed in the copending United States Patent No. 3,123,684, which patent is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrical Switching device which can be used in conjunction with a cable terminating system as described in the copending application Serial No. 142,562 identified above. I

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrical switching device in which the switching element can be easily and safely installed or removed with the use of a hot line stick while the switch terminals are energized.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved switching device which can be easily and quickly opened while under load using an auxiliary circuit interrupter with a minimum of manipulation of the interrupter and without arcing between the elements of the switching device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrical switching device having fixed means for engaging one contact of an auxiliary circuit interrupter and a pivoting switching element having means for engaging another contact of the interrupter in such manner that the interrupter can be used to open the switch by manipulating the interrupter in a single plane with a substantially unidirectional pull thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrical switching element having new and improved contact means on one terminal thereof for engaging contact means on a pivoting switching element in a manner to provide high current carrying capacity between the terminal and the switching element and to hold the switching element firmly in contact with 3,172,979 Patented Mar. 9, 1965 the terminal yet allowing the switching element to be easily disengaged from the terminal when it is desired to open the switching device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrical switching element having new and improved contact means on one terminal thereof for engaging contact means on a pivoting switching elemerit and providing means for guiding the switching ele ment into proper engagement as it is pivoted to close the switch.

Briefly, the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a switching device having first and second spaced apart terminals electrically connected by a removable switching element. The lower end of the switching element is removably mounted for pivotal movement upon the first terminal while the upper end is adapted to removably engage contact means on the second terminal to complete the circuit between the two terminals. A spring clip is provided near the upper end of the switch element to receive the pin of a standard hot line stick by means of which the switching element can be manipulated during removal and installation While the terminals are energized. In accordance with the present invention, the second terminal is provided with a central, vertical pin which is adapted to be engaged by a contact or ring on the end of a conventional auxiliary circuit interrupter. Engaging means are provided near the upper end of the switching element for engagement with lower contact means on the auxiliary circuit interrupter so that the circuit interrupter can be easily manipulated to first open the switch device without arcing while shunting the current through the interrupter and to then break the shunted current flow in the interrupter and quickly extinguish the arc.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a broken side elevational view of a switching device chzracterized by the features of the present invention showing the switch in the closed posit-ion and also showing an auxiliary circuit interrupter engaged with the switch in preparation for opening the switch. The switch is shown in the fully open position in dotted lines with a hot stick engaged therewith.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line corresponding substantially to the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line corresponding substantially to the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the switch in the open position engaged with the auxiliary circuit interrupter after the circuit has been interrupted.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line substantially corresponding to the line 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the contact means of the upper terminal of the switching device of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 the upper portion of a cable terminating device 10 of the type disclosed in the previously mentioned cope-nding application Serial No. 142,562. The terminating device is secured to a wall 12 of an electrical switch box by a bracket 14 and by suitable fasteners 16. The bracket 14 also serves as a means for grounding the lower portion of the terminating device 10 to the switch box or frame on which the device is mounted. The stud and nut 18 may be utilized to ground other wires to the bracket 14.

The upper end of the terminating device 10 is provided with a terminal 20 of the type described in detail in United States Patent No. 3,123,684 previously identified. The terminal 20 is connected to the end of a power cable 22 and, as is described inthe copending application, is positioned in an upper recess 24 formed in an insulation housing 26 of the terminal device 10. The terminal is provided with a pin receiving open ended slot 20a and a spring retainer 20b for removably receiving a pin 28 at the lower end of a removable switching element 30. The pin'28 of the switching element 30 is inserted in the slot 20a and moved downward and forward past the retaining spring 2% which then biases the pin against the blind end of the slot 20a and allows the switching element 30 to be pivoted from the closed position shown in solid lines to the fully open position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. The pin 2; can be removed from the slot 20a by moving it upward and to the rear (as viewed in FIG. 1) past the retaining spring 20b and out the top of the open end of the slot.

Movement of the switching element 30 and the pin 28 within the slot 20:: of the terminal 20 is accomplished by hand (if the terminals are not energized) or, if the terminals are energized, by use of a hot line stick 32 as described in the aforementioned United States Patent No. 3,123,684. The switching element 30 is comprised of a pair of parallel switch blades 34 joined at their upper ends by an integrally formed end web 36 and at their lower end by the pin 28. A hot stick receiving spring clip 38 is positioned between the switch blades 34 to receive the headed pin 32a of the hot stick 32 when the stick is used ot manipulate the switching element 30.

An upper or second terminal 40 is engaged by the upper end of the switching element 30 when the switch is closed. This terminal 40 is supported on a stand-off insulator 42 and is secured thereto by a cap screw 44 ('FIG. which is engaged in a threaded axial bore 42a in the outer end of the insulator. The insulator 42 is supported adjacent the upper end of the bracket '14 by means of a cap screw 46 threaded into an axial bore 421) at the inner end of the insulator.

In order to provide good electrical contact with the switching element 30 when it is closed, the upper terminal 40 is provided with a spring loaded contact member 48 shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. This member 48 is formed of a copper strip or other conducting material bent in the shape as illustrated and is secured to the main portion of the terminal 40 by the cap screw 44. The side legs 48a of the member 48 carry contact buttons 50 which may be made of silver to provide good electrical contact. The buttons 50 are provided with outer rounded heads 50a and are retained in holes in the legs 48a by upsetting or center punching the shank portions 50b of the buttons from the inside of the legs. The shank portions 50b serve as spring guides for a coiled compression spring 52 which biases the legs 48a outwardly. The member 48 is also provided with front legs 48b and 48c. The front leg 48b is provided with a tongue 48d which extends into a slot 48:; provided in the leg 480 in order to permit the side legs 48a to flex when the switch is opened and closed.

The upper ends of the switch blades 34 are outwardly deformed slightly to form contact engaging recesses 34a which, as is best shown in FIG. 5, accommodate the rounded heads 50a of the buttons 50 when the switch is closed. The spring 52 is compressed when the switch is moved to the closed position and then forces the buttons 50 outwardly to seat in the recesses 34a, thereby retaining the switch in the closed position and also providing good electrical contact between the switching element and the upper terminal. The legs 48b and 480 are bent inwardly at an angle of 45 to join the side legs 48a and these angular portions serve as guides for guiding the switching element 30 into proper engagement with the contact member 48 when the switch is being closed. It should also be noted from FIGS. 4 and 5 that the inner edges of the blades 34 adjacent the recesses 34a are bent slightly outward to aid in guiding the blades into proper engagement with the contact member 48 when the switch is closed. As is shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 40 is also provided with an outwardly extending lip 40a having an inclined lower surface which engages the end web 36 of the switching element 30 as it is closed. This lip 40a serves as a guide for the upper end of the switch element 30 during closing of the switch and insures that the pin 48 at the lower end of the switching element is seated against the blind end of the slot 200! in the terminal 20. Thus, when the switch is closed, the switching element 30 is held firmly between the terminals 20 and 40.

In order to provide for opening of the switch under load by using an auxiliary circuit interrupter, the upper terminal 40 is provided with an upwardly extending, centrally located, vetrical stud 40b which is adapted to be engaged by the upper contact ring 52 of an auxiliary circuit interrupter 54. The switching element 30 is provided with a pair of parallel spaced ring members 56 which are respectively attached to the upper ends of the switch blades 34. The ring members 56 are formed of flat plate and are provided with large circular openings 56a in order to accommodate the headed pin 32a of the hot line stick 32 when it is used to open or close or otherwise manipulate the switching element. The use of the hot stick for manipulating the switching element 30 is fully described in the previously mentioned United States Patent No. 3,123,684 and reference should be had to this patent for a complete understanding of this operation. A spacer pin 58 is provided between the rings 56 adjacent their upper outer corners. The pin 58 stiffens the ring members 56 to prevent bending and also serves as an engagement surface on which the contact pin or prong 60 of the auxiliary circuit interrupter is engaged.

In order to open the switch when current is flowing through the switching element 30 without arcing between the contact member 48 and the switching element, the auxiliary circuit interrupter 54 is placed in the position shown in FIG. 1 with the upper contact ring 52 in engagement with the stud 40b and the contact pin 60 in engagement with the spacer pin 58 thereby providing a shunt path for current flow through the auxiliary interrupter. The handle 54a of the interrupter is then pulled in the direction indicated by the arrows 54b to pivot the switching element 30 in a clockwise direction about the pin 28 thus breaking contact between the upper end of the switching element and the upper terminal 40. Little or no arcing occurs during this breaking of contact since the current is flowing through the auxiliary interrupter. As soon as the contact between the switching element 30 and the contact member 48 is broken, continued pull on the handle of the auxiliary circuit interrupter 54 toward the position shown in FIG. 4 breaks the circuit in the auxiliary circuit interrupter, and the are developed in the interrupter is extinguished therein. The contact ring 52 can now be disengaged from the stud 40a without arcing since there is no current flowing through the auxiliary interrupter and the switching element 30 can be allowed to pivot to the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 whereupon the circuit interrupter may be disengaged entirely.

If it is then desired to remove the switching element 30 from the lower terminal 20 while it is still energized, the hot stick 32 can be utilized in the manner described in the aforementioned United States Patent No. 3,123,684 After such removal the switch can be closed and locked to prevent unauthorized access to the switch or to prevent inadvertent contact with the energized terminals. It should be noted that by providing a removable switching element, a much smaller switch box or cabinet can be utilized than is possible without such an element. When it is desired to close the switch, the hot stick can be again utilized to insert the switching element 30 into the terminal 20 and to then pivot the switching element to the closed position.

The auxiliary circuit breaker 54 can be of the commercially available type having a fixed upper contact means such as a ring or loop 52 for engagement with a fixed switch terminal and a relatively movable lower contact means 6% for engaging the movable switch element or fuse of the switch. Moreover, it should be noted that the unique positioning of the stud 40b and the pin 58 in relation to each other allows the circuit breaker to be easily and positively engaged with the switch with a minimum of manipulation by merely placing the ring 52 over the stud 40b and engaging the contact pin 60 over the spacer pin 58 between the ring members 56. There is no necessity for twisting or rotating the auxiliary interrupter in order to engage it or to further twist or rotate it in order to open the circuit. The direction of pull on the handle is relatively constant and there is no need for a swivel jointed arrangement on the auxiliary circuit breaker in order to operate applicants switching device. The direction of pull and movement of the handle 54a (shown by the arrow 54b) of the auxiliary interrupter during engagement with and opening of the switch is substantially in a single plane which is aligned with the plane of movement of the pivoting switching element 30. Thus, the present invention provides a cable terminal and switching device which has a removable switching element, yet, still is capable of carrying high current loads, and also is capable of being easily and safely opened under load by use of a conventional auxiliary circuit interrupter with a minimum of manipulation. Because of these advantages the switching device can be utilized with high voltages and current and can be safely operated by an interrupter in relatively confined areas.

While the present invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that those skilled in the art may make many changes and modifications without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention and accordingly all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention are intended to be covered in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination, an electrical switching device comprising upper and lower vertically spaced apart terminals, a switching element having its lower end pivotally mounted on said lower terminal and movable in a plane to engage its upper end with said upper terminal when in closed position and to be disengaged from said upper terminal when in open position, means on said upper terminal extending vertically upward detachably engaging one terminal of an auxiliary circuit interrupter, and means carried on said switching element adjacent said upper end extending normal to the plane of movement of said switching element detachably engaging another terminal of said auxiliary circuit interrupter.

2. An electrical switching device comprising upper and lower vertically spaced apart terminals, a switching element having its lower end pivotally mounted on said lower terminal and movable in a plane to engage its upper end with said upper terminal when in closed position and to be disengaged from said upper terminal when in open position, said switching element comprising a pair of blades spaced in parallel confronting relation to each other parallel to said plane of movement of said switching element, stud means on said upper terminal extending vertically upward for detachably engaging one terminal of an auxiliary circuit interrupter, and means carried on said switching element adjacent said upper end extending normal to the plane of movement of said switching element for detachably engaging another terminal of said auxiliary circuit interrupter, the last named means comprising parallel spaced members respectively carried on the blades and extending outwardly from said upper terminal, and a spacer pin joined to said spaced 6 members adjacent their outer ends normal to said blades.

3. An electrical switching device comprising upper and lower vertically spaced apart terminals, a switching element having its lower end pivotally mounted on said lower terminal and movable-in a plane to engage its upper end with said upper terminal when in closed position and to be disengaged from said upper terminal when in open position, said switching element comprising a pair of parallel spaced confronting blades integrally joined at their upper end, a pivot pin joined to said blades adjacent their lower ends normal to said blades and to saidplane of movement of said switching element, said pivot pin being removably received for pivotal movement about said lower terminal, stud means on said upper terminal extending vertically upward for detachably engaging one terminal of an auxiliary circuit interrupter and means carried on said switching element adjacent said upper end extending normal to the plane of movement of said switching element for detachably engaging another terminal of said auxiliary circuit interrupter, the last named means comprising parallel spaced ring members respectively carried on the blades and extending outwardly from said upper terminal, and a spacer pin joined to said ring members adjacent their outer ends and extending normal to said plane of movement of said switching element.

4. In combination, an electrical switching device comprising upper and lower vertically spaced apart terminals, a switching element having its lower end pivotally mounted on said lower terminal and movable in a plane to engage its upper end with said upper terminal when in closed position and to be disengaged from said upper terminal when in open position, said switching element comprising a pair of parallel spaced confronting blades joined at their upper ends by an integral end web, said blades having confronting surfaces parallel to the plane of movement of said switching element and having a pair of confronting contact recesses respectively formed adjacent the upper ends thereof, contact means carried on said upper terminal for engaging the confronting faces of said blades within said recesses when said element is in a closed position, means for biasing said contact means into said engagement with said blades, stud means on said upper terminal extending vertically upward for detachably engaging one terminal of an auxiliary circuit interrupter, means carried on said switching element adjacent said upper end extending normal to the plane of movement of said switching element for detachably engaging another terminal of said auxiliary circuit interrupter, the last named means including parallel spaced ring members respectively carried by said blades and extending outwardly from said contact means, and a spacer pin joined to said ring members adjacent their outer ends and extending normal to said plane of movement of said switching element, said pin being adapted for engagement by said other terminal of said interrupter so that said switching element can be opened by a substantially uni-directional pull on said auxiliary circuit interrupter.

5. In combination, an electrical switching device comprising upper and lower vertically spaced apart terminals, a switching element having its lower end pivotally engaged with said lower terminal and movable in a plane to engage its upper end with said upper terminal when in closed position and to be disengaged from said upper terminal when in open position;

an auxiliary circuit interrupter having first and second terminals connected together forming a shunting circuit means for breaking said shunting circuit including an operating handle;

stud means on said upper terminal extending vertically upward for detachable engagement with said first terminal; and

means carried on said switching element adjacent its -upper end extending generally normal .to the plane of pivotal movement of said element for detachably engaging said second terminal of said interrupter, said auxiliary circuit interrupter being positioned to engage said stud means and said last mentioned means when in a plane substantially coincident with the plane of movement of said switching element and in said handle being movable in said plane in a substantially uni-directional movement to open said switching element and then break the circuit in said interrupter.

6. In combination, an electrical switching device comprising upper and lower vertically spaced apart terminals, a switchingelement having its lower end pivotally engaged with said lower terminal and movable in a plane to engage its upper end with said upper terminal when in closed position and to bedisengaged from said upper terminal when in open position;

an auxiliary circuit interrupter having a fixed first terminal and a second relatively movable terminal connected together forming a shunt circuit, means for breaking said shunt circuit including an operating handle for moving said second terminal relative to said first terminal to break said shunt circuit,

stud means on said upper terminal extending verti- 25 cally upward for detachable engagement with said fixed first terminal; and

means carried on said switching element adjacent its upper end extending generally normal to the plane of pivotal movement of said element for detachably engaging said second terminal, said means comprising a pin normal to said plane of movement of said switching element, said auxiliary circuit interrupter being positioned to engage said first terminal with said stud means and said second terminal with said pin when in a plane substantially coincident with the plane of movement of said switching element whereby a substantially uni-directional movement of said handle in said plane is effective to open said switching element and subsequently break the shunt circuit in said interrupter.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,351,826 6/44 Lindell et a1. 200-146 2,469,203 5/49 Palme et a1. 20()-146 2,789,189 4/57 Graybill et a]. 200-470 2,816,978 12/57 Lindell 200-114 2,816,985 12/57 Lindell 200-146 3,064,107 11/64 Date 200-170 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner.

UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION March 9, 1965 Patent No, 3,172,979

Edward H. Yonkers It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patthe said Letters Patent should read as nt requiring correction and that correctedbelowo column 4, line Column 3, 1ine 31, for "ot" read to d vertical column 7., 1ine 8, strike line 24, for "11/64 17, for "vetrica1 rea out "in", iirst occurrence;

read 11/62 Signed and seal column 8,-

ed this 21st day of September 1965.

test:

EDWARD J. BRENNER RNEST W. SWIDER Commissioner of Patents COMPRESSED AIR SWITCH WITH MULTIPLE INTERRUPTION Filed June 13, 1960 H. THOMMEN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 9, 1965 2 mHm INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Hans momma w ys wkw w I V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 'atent No. 3,172,979 March 9, 1965 Edward H. Yonkers It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patnt requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as orrectedbelow.

Column 3, line 31, for "ot" read to column 4, line .7, for "vetrical" read vertical column 7, line 8, strike wt "in", first occurrence; column 8 line 24 for "11/64" ."ead 11/62 I Signed and sealed this 21st day of September 1965 EDWARD J. BRENNER GDIIlIfliSSiOIlfiT of Patents 

1. IN COMBINATION, AN ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APART TERMINALS, PRISING UPPER AND LOWER VERTICALLY SPACED APART TERMINALS, A SWITCHING ELEMENT HAVING ITS LOOWER END PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID LOWER TERMINAL AND MOVABLE IN A PLANE TO ENGAGE ITS UPPER END WITH SAID UPPER TERMINAL WHEN IN CLOSED POITION AND TO BE DISENGAGED FROM SAID UPPER TERMINAL WHEN IN OPEN POSITION, MEANS ON SAID UPPER TERMINAL EXTENDING VERTICALLY UPWARD DETACHABLY ENGAGING ONE TERMINAL OF AN AUXILIARY CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER, AND MEANS CARRIED ON SAID SWITCHING ELEMENT ADJACENT SAID UPPER AND EXTENDING NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SWITCHING ELEMENT DETACHABLY ENGAGING ANOTHER TERMINAL OF SAID AUXILIARY CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. 